Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS) is strengthening medical technology in Thailand by partnering with National Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd. (N Health), under the management of the BDMS hospital support business group 7.1, and NovogeneAIT Co., Ltd. to establish N Health Novogene Genomics Co., Ltd. (NNG). This center will provide genomic medical analysis and treatment services using Illumina technology, a leading global innovation for DNA sequencing and disease treatment. This initiative supports the BDMS Genomic Center project, enhancing Thailand's medical capabilities as a personalized treatment option. The collaboration also aims to work with medical educational institutions to develop personnel, aspiring to position Thailand as a Genomic Center in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Paramaporn Prasatthong-Osoth, CEO and Managing Director of BDMS, stated that Thailand has a national policy for developing genomic medicine to ensure that Thai citizens have access to modern and effective healthcare. The national strategic plan for 2020-2040 includes collaboration between various agencies, both public and private, covering everything from genetic sample collection and DNA sequencing to the establishment and management of a national genomic database and its application in treatment. Additionally, there is cooperation in research and personnel development to enhance the country's genomic medical capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign laboratories. BDMS, as a comprehensive medical service network in Thailand, and N Health, as a laboratory providing services both within and outside the network, are ready to support the government's genomic medicine strategy and push towards becoming a regional medical hub, leveraging the capabilities of over 54 hospitals and clinics in the network that are prepared to provide genetic sample collection, analysis, treatment advice, and collaborate on various research projects. Meanwhile, N Health can analyze and store results to create a genomic database in partnership with the government, which will further advance medical development in Thailand.

            Genomic Medicine is an innovative medical service that utilizes individual genetic information along with other health data for diagnosis, treatment, and predicting risk factors for diseases, allowing for more precise and personalized patient care. This represents a significant leap in the medical field, contributing to the health of the population from preconception to death, and extending into the country's medical industry. Currently, genomic medicine plays a crucial role in public health systems and is starting to be offered in several countries with government-supported infrastructure, such as the UK, the US, and Singapore. In Thailand, an integrated genomics action plan (Genomics Thailand) for 2020-2027 has been developed under the collaboration of the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and partner agencies, aiming to drive the development of genomic medicine in the country to ensure that Thai people can access genomic medical services, as well as establish a national infrastructure that will be a crucial foundation for becoming a leader in the medical industry and services in the ASEAN region.

“The establishment of N Health Novogene Genomics Co., Ltd. (NNG) as a center for genomic medical analysis and treatment is driven by BDMS's commitment to enhance medical capabilities in caring for the health of Thai people through genomic medicine, aligning with BDMS's vision and mission to provide dedicated healthcare services with international quality standards, focusing on patients while utilizing modern medical technology. This genomic medical analysis and treatment is a future medical innovation that will significantly improve personalized healthcare. Not only will it provide precise diagnosis and treatment planning tailored to individuals, but NNG will also enable broader access to genomic medicine for Thai people, making it faster and more cost-effective. BDMS believes that NNG will be another option for maintaining the health of Thai citizens sustainably. Furthermore, BDMS is committed to supporting the development of genomic personnel in Thailand, which is currently lacking. BDMS and Siriraj Medical School, along with the Faculty of Nursing at Mahidol University, have discussed plans to sign a memorandum of understanding for academic collaboration to develop genomic personnel in Thailand on September 12, 2022, which will open courses for personnel both within and outside the network to enhance expertise in this field.” Dr. Paramaporn added.

Mr. Narongrit Kalaputh, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the BDMS Hospital Support Business Group 7.1, discussed the establishment of N Health Novogene Genomics Co., Ltd. (NNG) as a center for genomic medical analysis and treatment, stating, “Thailand has seen a continuous increase in personal gene analysis each year, which requires advanced technology, leading to the necessity of sending these genes for analysis in laboratories abroad. This results in high costs for service users and relatively long turnaround times, which may not be timely for treating diseases, especially serious ones. Given these limitations and the commitment to promote and develop genomic medicine in Thailand, National Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd. (N Health), as a leader in laboratory analysis in Thailand under BDMS, has collaborated with NovogeneAIT Co., Ltd. in Singapore to establish N Health Novogene Genomics Co., Ltd. (NNG) to support the BDMS Genomic Center project and elevate the capabilities of Thai medicine as a personalized treatment option for Thai citizens, expanding services to become a Genomic Center in Southeast Asia.”

The establishment of NNG (NNG) as a center for genomic medical analysis and treatment will also help Thailand build a strong genomic database to enhance the country's medical capabilities. “This collaboration in developing the center for genomic medical analysis and treatment supports the government's efforts to collect genetic data from the Thai population to serve as a database for developing genetic testing to enhance personalized healthcare capabilities in both prevention and treatment, as well as support research and development in collaboration with pharmaceutical and vaccine companies for various diseases, serious illnesses, and emerging diseases, tailored to the Thai population. This aims to position Thailand as a country with proactive medical development, ready to provide international-level services in the future.” Dr. Paramaporn concluded.